Shotlist

"I'd like to follow up on Senator Moran's question about the hearing we had with Attorney General Barr because I was very concerned by his use of the word spying, which I think is a very loaded word. It conjures a criminal connotation. And I want to ask you and I'd appreciate a yes or no answer, if possible. When FBI agents conduct investigations against alleged mobsters, suspected terrorists, other criminals, do you believe that they're engaging in spying when they're following FBI investigative policies and procedures?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Wray, FBI Director:

"Well that's not the term I would use."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, (D) New Hampshire:

"Thank you so. So I would I would say that's a no to that question."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Wray, FBI Director:

"Well, I mean, Look there are a lot of people have different colloquial phrases. I believe that the FBI is engaged in investigative activity and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes. And to me the key question is making sure that it's done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities. That's the key question and different people use different colloquial phrases."

6. Wide of Senate panel

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, (D) New Hampshire:

"And at this time do you have any evidence that any illegal surveillance into the campaigns or individuals associated with the campaigns by the FBI occurred?"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Wray, FBI Director:

"I don't think I personally have any evidence of that sort. (Shaheen) Thank you."

9. Wide of Wray testifying

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, (D) New Hampshire:

"Has the attorney general asked you to look into or review the actions undertaken by the FBI regarding the counterintelligence investigation?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Wray, FBI Director:

"Well, as I said, he is trying to get a better understanding of the circumstances at the department and the FBI surrounding the initiation of this particular investigation. He and I have been in fairly close contact about it and we're trying to work together to help him get the understanding that he needs on that subject I think that's appropriate."

12. Side shot of Wray testifying

Storyline

FBI Director Chris Wray said Tuesday that he does not consider court-approved FBI surveillance to be "spying" and said he has no evidence the FBI illegally monitored President Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 election.

His comments at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing broke from Attorney General William Barr, who said last month that he believed the Trump campaign had been spied on during an investigation into potential collusion with Russia. Trump seized on that comment as part of his allegation that the investigation was tainted by law enforcement bias.

Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, if he would say the FBI is "spying" when it investigates suspected terrorists and mobsters, Wray replied, "Well, that's not the term I would use."

He added: "I believe that the FBI is engaged in investigative activity, and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes. And to me, the key question is making sure that's done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities. That's the key question. Different people use different colloquial phrases."

Wray declined to discuss in detail the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign because of an ongoing Justice Department inspector general investigation into the origins of the Russia probe. Barr has said he expects the watchdog report to be done in May or June,

But asked whether he was aware of evidence that the FBI had illegally spied on the Trump campaign, Wray said, "I don't think I personally have any evidence of that sort."

Barr is investigating whether there was a proper basis for the FBI to open a counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

"We're working to help him get that understanding," Wray said. "I think that's part of his job and part of mine."